Hogwarts.
This castle, with its majestic and spectacular appearance, intricate internal structure, and omnipresent magic aura, has become a dream school for countless Wizards and Witches.
The outer walls of the castle are constructed with massive gray stones, enduring the elements yet remaining solid and indestructible, as if each stone has witnessed the rise and growth of countless Wizards.
The spacious halls, winding corridors, and the library rich with books... as well as the unique Headmaster's Office, are parts of many Wizards' childhoods, unforgettable even for a lifetime.
At the start of each school year.
People gather here.
"Fox, you've been going out a lot these days, is there something new outside that's attracting you?" Dumbledore gazed curiously at the fiery red figure flying in from outside the window.
Due to the school not yet being open.
The atmosphere in the castle was somewhat quiet.
All the students had welcomed the holidays, even the professors had their own homes... perhaps only people like Snape and Dumbledore would still stay in the school.
They are not homeless.
They just... cannot feel the presence of 'home' anymore.
"Chirp chirp~"
The high-pitched, resonant cry revealed that the Phoenix was in a good mood.
"School is about to start, you shouldn't be running around the school, or you might scare those little Wizards." Dumbledore tidied up the slightly disheveled feathers of his Phoenix.
This was one of his few recreational activities.
For Snape.
Staying in school is no different from staying in the so-called 'home'.
And for Dumbledore.
He didn't have the courage to face Godric's Hollow again.
Yes.
Courage.
Many people only see the brilliance and strength of Albus Dumbledore, few are able to perceive how lonely the Headmaster of Hogwarts is behind all those dazzling halos.
When a Gryffindor loses courage.
It's enough to prove he has actually fallen into the abyss and is completely lost.
"If you truly want to find something to do, maybe you could help me search for the location of the Secret Chamber again." Dumbledore didn't actually understand the language of the Phoenixes.
However.
This doesn't mean the Phoenix doesn't understand human speech.
"Chirp! Chirp! Chirp chirp!"
The Phoenix agreed.
Dumbledore could sense this from an emotional level.
"Thank you."
He took out a small treat.
However.
The fiery red Phoenix perched on Dumbledore's arm, disdainful of the small treat Dumbledore offered, it simply let out a clear chirp towards the outside of the school.
"Severus."
Dumbledore looked up.
And saw Snape walking into the school, looking thoughtful. Judging from the direction he came from, Dumbledore roughly guessed where Snape had gone.
"Did you finally go to see that poor child?"
Dumbledore's figure disappeared from the window of the office, and in the next moment, appeared in the corridor of the castle Snape walked into — this was the Apparition of Phoenix Fox.
Though the rules within Hogwarts Castle might not necessarily restrain a Wizard like Dumbledore, he rarely breaks the ancient rules passed down through Hogwarts.
"That damn brat isn't pitiful at all."
Snape seemed to be startled by Dumbledore, but after hearing Dumbledore's words, he couldn't help but twitch his face, recalling the frightening scene he had just witnessed.
Even played with Dark Arts.
Can that be called pitiful?
"Don't always restrain your emotions, that child needs your care."
Dumbledore's voice seemingly always carried a serene magic.
He patiently persuaded Snape.
Many people once thought Dumbledore merely used Snape or pitied him... however, the truth is Dumbledore saw his own past in Snape.
Perhaps the events were different.
But Dumbledore was likely the one who could empathize with Snape the most.
Both had once pursued things too zealously.
And both had awakened due to sudden drastic changes.
Only.
Unlike him.
Snape still has a chance for redemption.
"I admit my past words were somewhat extreme, he's only got you as his family now, if even you want to reject him, then he'd have no one to rely on in this world."
Dumbledore truly hopes to see in Snape what he cannot dare to hope for himself.
"..."
Snape's eyes flickered slightly.
For once, he didn't refute.
"Ian is a child full of love, don't let him lose love, okay?" Compared to before, Dumbledore clearly used another approach to persuade Snape not to close off his heart.
Of course.
He was also considering Ian, the orphan. Having a Wizard like Snape to rely on, a little Wizard's future path would be much smoother no matter what.
"He's doing well in Hogwarts Village, I see he's quite adapted... to life in the Wizarding World." Snape's expression was slightly unnatural as he spoke.
Dumbledore didn't mind.
"He's able to take care of a group of little kids well, so he certainly knows how to take good care of himself." After all, Dumbledore personally conducted a background check on Ian.
He knew many details about Ian's situation.
"Hah! The audacious little devil! He's just been taking too good care of himself!" Snape gritted his teeth, just thinking about what he saw made his blood pressure rise.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
Dumbledore chuckled softly.
Apparently unaware of the full picture.
"..."
Snape just cast a peculiar look at Dumbledore, didn't say anything else, just shook his head, and bypassed Dumbledore, intending to return to his office.
He's still got a pot of Magic Potion brewing.
"Perhaps you should bring him to live with you in the castle."
Dumbledore offered the suggestion to Snape's back.
"I don't want to be angered to death."
Snape's voice was cold.
He continued walking forward, dragging a robe like a rag.
Suddenly.
As if remembering something.
He stopped.
Turned back.
Dumbledore still stood there holding the Phoenix.
"Albus."
Snape hesitated to speak.
"What year were you when you learned Compound Magic, and how long did it take?" The Professor of Potions at Hogwarts stared intensely at his Headmaster.
This made Dumbledore somewhat puzzled.
"Although the outside world often praises my magic talent, in fact, my talent was only slightly better." Dumbledore first modestly spoke before answering.
"If my old brain isn't mistaken, it should have been an afternoon in the second year, which wasn't the magic I should have been dealing with at that time, and it took a whole afternoon."
For most Wizards.
This would definitely be seen as Dumbledore's 'Versailles time'.
However.
"Damn, it seems your reputation is somewhat undeserved..." Snape wasn't mocking, he was sighing, and when he turned to leave, his expression was even more worried.
"?????"
Dumbledore was dumbfounded for a while.
Then.
As if realizing something.
A trace of... dread flashed behind his spectacles.